Sharing Some "Airy-fairy/Arty-farty" Spiritual Thoughts/Writings (Updated)

Key Words: Inspiration, Spiritual Thoughts, Spiritual Quotes, Spiritual Thoughts, 'Words of inspiration', hope.
Web Sites: http://www.selfgrowth.com/experts/craig_lock.html and http://www.craiglockbooks.com
Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles.htmln(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, words of inspiration, "spiritual, spiritual writings" (how "airey-fairey"), and money management - how boring now, Craig!)

Publishing Guidelines: .
These writings may be freely reproduced electronically or in print.
If they help, bring joy or perhaps even inspire others "out there", then nwe're very happy. Hope these other thoughts that I've written over the years may be uplifting in a sometimes very sad and cruel, nyet still beautiful and amazing world. n *
Because we human BEINGS (and not "doings") have the npower of CHOICE in our reactions to whatever life throws at us, nwe are SPIRITUAL beings on an earthly existence...nand we can consciously choose to elevate our level of nthinking on our individual spiritual jou
eys, should we so want.

Enjoy these thoughts, based on my absolute faith in a Higher Power,
God, Ultimate Source, or whatever the concept of Some Being far Greater than onself means to you:na Supreme Being, the Grand Designer, Infinite Intelligence,
Great/Infinite Spirit (welI I have to with the life I've led and still lead daily...nand the various predicaments I've been in!)... and I KNOWnthat this faith has never ever failed me, so gets strengthened daily.
And this spark of the DIVINE lies within EVERY ONE of us.
So am sharing...

In the aftermath of so many natural and human disasters (as well as the tragic ongoing violence in Iraq, the Sudan and now Kenya), thought I'd share these thoughts in an often extremely dark, yet always amazing world. Because of the strength, resilience and magnanimity of the human condition, no matter where in the world people may live, which calls forth our common BEING.
Life is never easy for most people on the planet... "lest we forget".

Because we human BEINGS (and not "doings") have the npower of CHOICE (or free-will) in our reactions to whatever nlife throws at us, we are SPIRITUAL beings on an earthly existance...nand we can consciously choose to elevate our level of nthinking on our individual spiritual jou
eys, should we want.
It's the spirit of it's people that makes a country, any country great.

"Let us build bridges rather than barriers, openness rather thannwalls. Rather than borders, let us look at distant horizonsntogether...in the common spirit of the value and dignity of a nshared personhood as citizens of planet earth. We here in nfar-off New Zealand share the common nbond of humanity: the pain, the sadness, suffering and joy ninherant in the human condition, no matter where in the world nyou may live." n- Craig Lockn(3rd September 2004)

"When you can see no light at the end of the tunnel, lightnyour own candle and let your light illuminate the world,nlike the radiance from a window at midnight." That's anmetaphor, BTW

"I believe often we greatly underestimate our potential andnresources. We have it all within to do anything; but when wenfeel weak and don't think we have anything left to give, thennall we need to do is ask in prayer. You will receive wisdom,nstrength, imagination and creativity you never knew younpossessed from without, from a Higher Power, your Creator...nand then nothing is impossible to you and God."

"Let the light of your BEING shine brightly; so revealing WhonYou Really Are. Be a Bringer of the Light, which emanatesnfrom our soul, God, our Creator, the Source, the Essence of Lifen(and Ground of our very Being).
Therefore, it can do more than illuminatenyour own path.YOUR spirit will help makes the lives ofnothers easier by illuminating others paths. For this lightnis our humanity, the spirit of God, truth, wisdom, beauty andnespecially love...and it lies within each one of us. Throughnyour actions and your being, let your light, YOUR spiritntruly shine brightly on the world, like the radiance emittednby a candle at midnight."n- Craig Lock (adapted from Neale Donald Walsh in
'Conversations with God Book 3').

"There is a rich tapestry of talent in every human soul, thatnflows through (and from), the Source of our Being, the Spiritnof God, Life. So don't spend your days stringing and tuningnyour instrument; start making and playing your unique tunesnof music now."

"Success to others may be apparent in what you DO; butnsignificance, meaning and purpose lies, then reveals itselfnin what you ARE and BECOME down the 'river of life' - hownand the spirit with which you face, then overcome the dailynobstacles, the frequent trials and tribulations along thenoften rocky path-way of life's magical and mysteriousnjou
ey.
Light your path brightly."

" I truly believe we can ALL create and enthuse magic inton'so-called humdrum little lives'. You don't just have to benthe choreorapher, or the conductor of your life script -nrather paint your life as the masterpiece it could (one day)nbe. There is a rich tapestry of talent in every human soul,nthat flows through the spirit of God. So don't spend you
days stringing and tuning your instrument; start making andnplaying your unique tunes of music right now." n
"Do not follow the well-beaten track of others towards success - like the rainbow, it is often an illusion always just beyond our reach. Make your own path and let your spirit blaze a brilliant trail towards the pot of gold, the prize for the gift - one that is uniquely you and YOUR successful jou
ey down the river of life.

"For me true success may be measured by the fortitude, with which nso many ordinary people around the globe overcome numerous nseemingly insurmountable obstacles through sheer force of ncharacter and indominatable spirit. They rise above the severest nadversity down the often rocky jou
ey of life. Unheralded, yet with nan unquenchable and infinite generosity of human nspirit, these are lives of greatness and souls who are the true nheroes of this world."n- Craig Lock (13th August 2004)

"If it is peace you want, seek to change yourself, not other people.
It is easier to protect your feet with slippers than to carpet thenwhole of the earth."n- Anthony de Mello (United Nations official from Brazil,ntragically killed in Iraq in 2003 - a man of vision,nintegrity and great generosity of spirit).

"Ignite the light in your soul,nthen you will spread light in people.
Plant beauty in yourself nand harmony will blossom in your home.
When harmony perfumes the home
There will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation,
There will be peace in the world."

Adapted from ancient Chinese proverb with humanity by "young" Dr Andy Eastcott and Craig Lock, Gisbo
e, New Zealand

"When the world is filled with love, peoples hearts are overflowingnwith hope."

"I believe it is our responsibility (or CHOICE) as humannbeings to 'serve' others through sharing our 'God-given'nabilities, knowledge, experiences and especially talents.
These are our gifts from our Creator; but what we do withnthose talents is our 'gift to God'. I want to light ancandle of hope and love, by shining my own 'little light'n(note alliteration!) on the world as brightly as I can.
This spirit is my 'little gift' to God, Life, the Universe,
Infinite Spirit, the Ultimate Source."

"The task ahead of you can always be overcome by the power withinnyou...and the often seemingly difficult or even "impassible") pathnahead of you is never as steep with the great spirit that liesnwithin you."

"We have it within; but we get it all from without. There is a well-spring of strength, wisdom, courage and great imagination within each one of us; nbut once we draw on this truth, it gets watered from without, by a Higher Source - the Ultimate Source of Life and Love, which is God, the very Ground of our Being."

"Our Greatest Good is perhaps not to share our material possessions, our money and 'riches' with others, but through faith in other people, to so lay the foundation to reveal the rich treasure that lies within themselves."

"Even when your own light appears to be extinguished,nanother human being may light that candle once more, ntu
ing it into a bright flame... somewhere, someday, somehow.":n - craig

"Be the very best person you can be with "loads of" FUN. Become the person you are CAPABLE of being ... and ALL the person God,
Our Creator intended and CALLED us to become."

"When I let go of who (and what) I think I am, then I become all that I am capable of being." n- Craig Lock (as adapted and inspired from Lao Tzu)

"Deep within us there is a flame that burns, a divine spark that can become the unconquerable human spirit. And that flame is the spark of God. In some it burns brightly, in others it is barely distinguishable; but always it burns...and with love and acceptance the flame gets higher and brighter. We can help others to kindle this flame by seeing the good in them, even if they don't see it themselves."

"When the power of love overcomes (or conquers) the love of power the world, man will at long last know peace." n- adapted slightly from American musician, Jimi Hendrix

"Most of us cannot do great things, so let's just do the little things in a great way."n- Mother Teresa

"God creates us with different gifts. Each one of us comes into the world with a different collection of life circumstances that often severely challenge us, things that give us joy and in expressing our talents allow us to bless the people, the world around us."

"With passion and purpose in our individual lives we can touch others and innso doing illuminate the hearts and minds of humanity to make a better worldn(through helping raise the 'collective consciousness' in others). Let us offer an alte
ate vision for the world to embrace: one that celebrates our individual differences and beliefs, yet banishes the fanatical ideology of intolerance and hatred to the darkness from which it emerged. Each one of us in our own little ways can offer a compelling new horizon: na bright future of justness, righteousness and justice, tolerance, respect for other traditions and values . Especially by LIVING the vision of hope and with thoughts of peace ... a state of being fuelled, illuminated by the ete
al flame of love, which can light the darkest night.... always "n - me

"One small candle can illuminate the darkness, so light your own candle...nand shine your own bright light on humanity."

Craig is presently working* on his latest novel 'The Awakened Spirit', based on some true and inspiring stories from the "beloved country" of South Africa - of the indominable human spirit that lies within each one of us, told against the backdrop of a troubled and exciting continent. Stories of endless possibilities. nn* btw... he's not really "working" as the story seems to be "writing itself!".nhttp://www.craiglockbooks.com nhttp://www.selfgrowth.com/experts/craig_lock.html

The various books that "Craig felt inspired to write" are available at:nwww.lulu.com/craiglock and http://www2.webng.com/write
z/books.html

"True success is being 'the who' YOU really want to be, as you ride the rapids and water-falls of life."n- craig

P.S: I hope these writings bring hope and joy to you as you float down the "river of life" (that's a metaphor, btw).

"Blessed are the Peacemakers,nbecause they'll achieve plenty of Frequent Flyer points."

"Together, one mind, one soul at a time, let's encourage, impact, uplift and perhaps even inspire the world."

THESE WRITINGS MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED n